Title IX Home Gallery

Title IX

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

–Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Angelo State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. In accordance with Title VII, Title IX, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act (SaVE), and other federal and state law, the University prohibits discrimination based on sex and other types of Sexual Misconduct.

Prohibited Conduct

Sexual Misconduct is a broad term encompassing all forms of gender-based harassment or discrimination and unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature. The term includes sexual harassment, nonconsensual sexual contact, nonconsensual sexual intercourse, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, public indecency, interpersonal violence, sexual violence, and any other misconduct based on sex. While sexual orientation and gender identity are not explicitly protected categories under state or federal law, it is the University’s policy not to discriminate in employment, admission, or use of programs, activities, facilities, or services on this basis. Discriminatory behavior is prohibited regardless of the manner in which it is exhibited, whether verbally, in writing, by actions, or electronically displayed or conveyed.

An offense that meets the definition of domestic violence or dating violence.

Domestic Violence or Family Violence

Abuse or violence, or threat of abuse or violence, committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the Reporting Party, by a person with whom the Reporting Party shares a child in common, by a person with whom the Reporting Party is cohabitating (or has cohabitated) with a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the Reporting Party under the domestic or family violence laws of the State of Texas, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the State of Texas. Verbal abuse must be sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it adversely affects the victim’s education or creates an intimidating, hostile, abusive or offensive educational environment which interferes with the student’s ability to realize the intended benefits of the University’s resources and opportunities.

Example: Sam and Jo live together. When Jo comes home late from work, Sam threatens to hit her each time. One time, when Jo came home from work, Sam pushed Jo against the wall and accused her of staying out late to see other people.

Dating Violence

Abuse or violence, or threat of abuse or violence, committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the Reporting Party. The existence of such a relationship will be determined based on the type and length of the relationship and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. A casual acquaintanceship or ordinary socialization between two individuals does not constitute a romantic or intimate relationship. This definition does not include acts covered under domestic violence or family violence. Verbal abuse must be sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it adversely affects the victim’s education or creates an intimidating, hostile, abusive or offensive educational environment which interferes with the student’s ability to realize the intended benefits of the University’s resources and opportunities.

Example: Bobbi and Kym have been seeing each other for a couple of weeks. Kym continues to ask to look through Bobbi’s phone. The last time Kym asked, Bobbi said no, Kym slapped Bobbi so Kym has complied since then.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

Such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or education;

Example: Jules is told unless she has sex with the Graduate Assistant, Jules will not get the internship requested.

Such conduct is used as a basis for decisions affecting employment or education; or

Example: When Hayden asks the professor to stop rubbing Hayden’s shoulders, Hayden is told his grade is going to suffer.

Such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with the individual’s work or educational performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or educational environment. To constitute an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or educational environment, the compliance of conduct must be either severe, persistent, or pervasive.

Example: Carol continues to post sexually explicit photos in the online discussion board for a class and encourages other students to call for a good time. Students are offended and have reported this behavior to the online professor multiple times.

Public Indecency

Engaging in private or sexual acts in a publicly viewable location, such that it is offensive to accepted standards of decency.

Example: Erin had too much to drink one night and had to use the restroom while walking to the Residence Hall, so Erin stopped by one of to use the restroom.

Sexual Discrimination

An act that deprives a member of the university community of his or her rights of access to campuses and facilities and of participation in education, services, programs, operations, employment, benefits or opportunities with the university on the basis of the person’s sex.

Example: Aaron was not offered a job on campus because Aaron was told they were looking for someone of a different sex.

Sexual Assault

Any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. Sexual assault includes non-consensual sexual contact and non-consensual sexual intercourse.

Example: Terry and Kelli have sex often however, one night Kelli tells Terry no. Terry says Kelli has said yes multiple times before so Terry forces Kelli to have sexual intercourse.

Example: Jordan and Harper are both at a party. Harper agrees to dance with Jordan, while dancing Jordan slips a hand in Harpers shorts and begins to grope under the shorts.

Sexual Exploitation

Taking non-consensual or abusive sexual advantage of another for the benefit of one’s self or a third party.

Example:Jesse sends a nude photo to a friend who promises it won’t be shared. Two days later Jesse learns the photo was posted on Instagram without Jesse’s permission.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

Such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or education;

Example: Jules is told unless she has sex with the Graduate Assistant, Jules will not get the internship requested.

Such conduct is used as a basis for decisions affecting employment or education; or

Example: When Hayden asks the professor to stop rubbing Hayden’s shoulders, Hayden is told his grade is going to suffer.

Such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with the individual’s work or educational performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or educational environment. To constitute an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or educational environment, the compliance of conduct must be either severe or pervasive.

Example: Carol continues to post sexually explicit photos in the online discussion board for a class and encourages other students to call for a good time. Students are offended and have reported this behavior to the online professor multiple times.

Stalking

A course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her own safety or the safety of others or would cause that person to suffer substantial emotional distress.

Example: Jean broke up with Jamey weeks ago. However, Jamey continues to show up wherever Jean is and calls 20 to 30 times a day. Jean recently found a threatening note from Jamey stating that “Jean would be hurt if someone else replaced Jamey.”